Travel to Norway

Oslo is the capital city of Norway. It is located at the head of the Oslofjord inlet and at the foot of a large forest giving it lovely natural beauty. Oslo has a fascinating Viking past, while at the same time being a modern and progressive city with a vibrant nightlife and many bars, cafes and restaurants.

There are many sites of architectural, cultural and historical interest throughout the city. Visit Oslo's main pedestrian street, the vibrant Karl Johan's Gate which is full of shops, cafes and entertainment. The Oslo Domskirke is the city cathedral. It was built in 1697 and here you will be rewarded with a view of outstanding examples of stained glass. The Royal Palace is a treat, if for nothing but to sit in its stunning grounds. You can spend two days exploring Bygdoy where you will find excavated Viking ships at the Viking Museum, the largest open-air museum in Norway and the Kon Tiki Museum which houses the famous balsa-wood raft that Thor Heyerdahl used to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1947.

Norway contains other excellent museums as well. Be sure to visit the Norwegian Folk Museum which is the most extensive museum of cultural history to be found in Norway. The Resistance Museum can be found at Akershus Castle. It provides an account of the German occupation of Norway and there you can visit the deep dungeons and then the luxurious upper floors. There are many high quality art galleries in Oslo, such as the Munch Museum which contains Munch's famous "The Scream" and the International Children's Art Museum that hosts hands-on workshops.

Of architectural interest is the newly opened Opera House, the Royal Palace (mentioned above), the buildings of the University of Oslo, the Oslo cathedral and the Kirkeristen which is the old bazaar that surrounds the church. Oslo is also full of natural beauty and stunning parks. You can wander around the beaches that are part of the Bygdoy peninsula or visit some of the city's parks, particularly the gorgeous Frognerparken. The section of the park known as Vigeland Park contains approximately 200 bronze and granite sculptures and is a treat to behold.

Oslo hosts a number of international fairs and conferences and during these times it can be difficult to find accommodation. If you plan to visit at a time such as these, make sure to reserve your accommodation long in advance to avoid disappointment. There are two hostel chains in Norway that run 110 youth and family hostels so finding budget accommodation should not be a problem if that is what you are looking for. It is possible to find hotels that range greatly in price and so if you are traveling on a budget, you may find a small family run hotel that will suit your needs. Besides for luxury hotels, you can find quaint old wooden hotels or charming historic hotels that have unique and distinctive atmospheres. You can also stay in a pension or a private room that can be found throughout the city and around the countryside.

On December 8 evening, there was a mysterious spiral blue-white light to appear above Norway, thousands of local residents had observed the strange phenomenon. Residents in Norway from Trøndelag area to Fen Lanke area observed this mysterious blue light. From the Photographs taken by witnesses, we can see that there was a blue light rose from a large mountain in Norway and then remained in mid - air forming a spiral white aperture. 

The large ring stayed in the night light and the blue ray illuminated the center of the spiral ring in the sky. The entire period lasted about 10 to 12 minutes. After this light appeared, the Norwegian Meteorological Bureau was flooded with telephone calls instantly. Astronomers claimed that at this time auroral phenomena was not observed, so this light ring was not caused by auroras.Summer's Most Lovely mp5901 Fashion Style

Norwegian military spokesman claimed that they had not yet got the clear investigation result for the source of the mysterious aperture, but forecasted that it was likely caused by Russia's missile test. Good News!! tote bags are the Favorite of But the Russian military denied that they had conducted any missile firing tests. So far, the Russia's Defense Ministry has refused to comment on this phenomenon. 

From Trondelag to Finnmark, witnesses claimed that this mysterious wonder might be related to Russian rocket, meteor or a shock, but they have made no mention of UFO up to now. At that night, a blue-ray directly flew to the sky from the mountain and then stopped in the air and spread around. Several seconds later, a huge leptospira hang over the sky. Soon afterwards, a turquoise beam of light irradiated from the center of leptospira and completely disappeared after 10 to 12 minutes.What Kristen Stewart Wearing? !

In the "light exposure" occurred, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute are off the hook by phones. Drew Barrymore Guide You Various Trend Bible to Preserve hobo bags According to introduction from astronomers, the strange scenery on the 8th evening had no any connection with the common Northern Lightsl in Norway. The resident Fried Hansen in Westlaren said the entire course was like "a huge wandering fireball surrounded by ray". In the small town Troms, a resident Todt Erikson told the local media: "It shot out and exploded in the air."

Eriksson asserted that he found this preternatural phenomenon when he was on his way sending his daughter Amalie to school. He added, "I saw the light gradually rising from Troms inner harbor. It was amazing. It looked like a revolving rocket and then hung over in the sky in opposite angle. It was like the moon rose from the back of the mountain but afterwards it turned out to be a totally different look." From Alta Alex Ross Berge added: "It's like a huge spiral body - constantly rotating meteor. I thought it was a projector in the beginning."

Swedish astronomer Cnut • Joergen • Lord • Odegard expressed he had never seen such lights before when he accepts the interview of the local medias. [My first feeling told me it was probably meteor, but the whole process lasted too long. Perhaps it was a guided missile launched by Russia, but I was not sure." he said. Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Troms claimed that that mysterious phenomenon lasted two minutes and they admitted: "Since it lasted too long, it can not have been an astronomical phenomenon."

Many Norwegian food items are things you cannot get at the local Pick 'n Save or Piggly Wiggly. These are specialty items that are only available at certain shops. Some require special appliances. Lefse and krumkake griddles and sandbakkel tins are usually available at the same stores. Here is a partial list of places to check out.

Open House Imports, 306 E. Main St., Mt. Horeb, WI 53572, (608) 437-5468 openhouseimports.com

Open House carries a nice selection of products including Freia Chocolates, sandbakkel, lefse, and rommergrot mixes, fish soup, fish balls, salmon and caviar spread, lingonberries, and Hartshorn Salt (a hard-to find ingredient of some Norwegian dishes). They also carry Norwegian equipment.

Dick's Quality Meats, 201 Main Street, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572. A good source for herring, lefse, and, at holiday times, lutefisk.

Norske Nook Restaurant and Coffee House and Gift Shop -- Osseo, 13804-13807 7th Street, Osseo, WI 54758, (715) 597-3765 norskenook.com

Norske Nook -- Rice Lake, 2900 Pioneer Avenue, Rice Lake, WI 54868, 715-234-1733

Norske Nook -- Hayward, Hwy. 27 South, Hayward, WI 54843, (715) 634-4928

The Norske Nook is a legend in Wisconsin, offering "from scratch" cooking and fabulous baked goods. The restaurants offer a limited selection of products but the selection at the Osseo gift shop is more extensive with imported cookies, lingonberries, lefse, potato dumpling and Norwegian pancake mixes, and more. They also carry lefse and krumkake griddles, sandbakkel tins, and other needed equipment.

Dregnes Scandinavian Gifts, 100 S. Main St., Westby, WI 54667, Phone: (608) 634-4414 Toll Free: (877) 634-4414 DregnesScandinavianGifts.com. Dregnes had the best selection of goods of all the places we checked. They offer Norwegian cheeses, fish soup, two different kinds of fish balls, vanilla and pearl sugars, Ljus syrup, glug, and numerous mixes. Their kitchen shop carries any cookware necessary to turn out a delicious Norwegian meal.

Nordic Nook, 176 W. Main St., Stoughton, WI 53589, Phone: (608) 877-0848 Toll Free: (866) 912-6665 nordic-nook.com. The Nordic Nook has a nice selection of Norwegian cooking gear and all the standard food offerings. A couple of unusual and yummy additions are pepparkakor (gingersnap) caramels and Ole and Lena fortune cookies.

Cheesers, LLC 186 E. Main St., Stoughton, WI 53589, Phone: (608) 873-1777 Fax: (608) 877-0362 cheesers.com. Stoughton has the biggest Syttende Mai celebration outside of Norway so you know Stoughton is serious about Norwegian food. Cheesers doesn't offer the cooking equipment like the others but they do offer a nice selection of products including a broad selection of flatbreads and crisps, fresh lefse, coffee, Jarlsberg cheese, and two kinds of Gjetost. This is a great place for all your cheese needs. Their selection is comprehensive.

Ask most people what the biggest day on the Norwegian calendar is and they would probably say the first day of the ice fishing season. If you're in that group (come on, be honest) you may be shocked and surprised to find out you're WRONG...close...but WRONG! If you live in Dane, Rock, or Green Counties, you should be run out of town on a rail.

The correct answer is Syttende Mai. (Pronounced Setten de my). Syttende Mai holds the same significance in Norway as the 4th of July holds in the United States. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Norway, which had been under the control of Denmark since the mid-1300s, was given by Denmark to Sweden. The Norwegians were miffed at this turn of events since they always considered themselves an independent country and on May 17 (or Syttende Mai), 1814, they signed a constitution declaring themselves so. Sweden was unimpressed and continued to rule Norway for another hundred years, finally granting independence in 1905.

But I digress. Syttende Mai is celebrated with children's parades, big parades, dances, and food, lots and lots of food. And what do Norwegians eat, you may ask? According to Howard Mohr, in his bible of Scandinavian lifestyle in the Upper Midwest How to Talk Minnesotan, Norwegians like white food. If it's not naturally white, they'll make it white. While this is mostly true, it's not completely true. A little color does creep in, here and there.

Like most cuisines, Norwegian cooking includes things both wonderful and to the uninitiated...frightening. Here then is a quick overview of Norwegian cooking. The most famous Norwegian foods are the ever-popular lutefisk and lefse. Lutefisk literally means lye fish. Lutefisk is air-dried cod, called stockfish, that is sawn (literally) into manageable pieces, soaked in fresh water for eight days, a lye (you read it right, lye) solution for two days, and then fresh water again for an additional two days. After all that, lutefisk is simmered until it is firm and translucent. Lutefisk is NOT an acquired taste. You either like it or you don't.

While lutefisk is available here and there in grocery stores, especially around Christmas, it's not the easiest thing to find. The Olsen Fish Company on the north side of Minneapolis is the world's largest producer. They make over 650,000 pounds a year. They sell stockfish for the do-it-yourselfers and processed and ready to cook lutefisk for the rest of us. The lutefisk is packaged under Olsen, Viking, Kemps, and Mike's labels but you can't buy directly from Olsens for they are strictly a wholesale company.

Lefse is made from potatoes. It's thin and flexible, and it looks and feels much like a flour tortilla. It has been likened to a dish rag but that is an unfair judgment by people who have tried poor quality, store bought, or old product. Fresh lefse is a delicate, flavorful delight, especially when buttered and rolled up with brown sugar.

The absolute best place to get lefse is to find a church with a crew of little Norwegian ladies who set up in the church kitchen and crank out lefse to sell as a fund-raiser. Stoughton, Mount Horeb, or Westby are good places to start. Failing that, the general consensus among lefse connoisseurs is that Countryside Lefse in Blair, Wisconsin, is by far the best commercially made lefse around. The reason is that they make lefse the same way you would at home (or at church). They use real potatoes and they roll and flip the lefse by hand. Countryside Lefse is distributed to local grocery stores but you can also order directly from them on their website lefse.com.

Lutefisk isn't the only fish dish around. Almost as ubiquitous is pickled herring. Norwegians eat tons of the stuff every year. Herring are pickled in the traditional manner with vinegar and spices and then things get interesting. There are 15 species of herring and at least that many ways to pack them. The two most popular variations are in a sour cream or wine sauce, but recent years have brought about new varieties including Cajun and fresh dill.

Fiskeballer (fish balls) and fish soup can contain almost anything. The main trick with fish balls is to run the meat through a grinder at least five times. Oddest sounding of all is fiskepudding or fish pudding. It's exactly what it sounds like. To get the light, spongy consistency required, you need really fresh fish. The fish is pureed with cream and some other stuff and then baked. It's usually served hot and drenched in butter.

Now that those are out of the way, we can move on to the important stuff -- cookies and baked goods. The most recognizable Norwegian cookies are krumkake. These cone shaped delights are sometimes filled, but often are served plain (as God intended) and are light and crispy with just a hint of cardamom. Sandbakkel come in a variety of shapes. The dough is pressed into forms that are essentially tiny tart tins. They have a thicker, more substantial texture and a definite almond taste. Fattigman (poor man's cookies) are similar to sandbakkels in texture but without the almond flavor. Fattigman cookies are different in that they are deep fried. A little powdered sugar on top and you have a very tasty cookie.

By far the prettiest and most delicate cookies are the rosetter, or rosettes. The cookie starts with a thin batter, then flower- or star-shaped irons with long handles are dipped into the batter and then lowered into hot oil. The cookies fry until they are a beautiful golden brown. Once they are sprinkled with powdered sugar, they are as much a work of art as they are a paper thin, yummy treat.

Cakes of all kinds are part of the Norwegian diet. Two in particular are worth noting. One is the kransekake. This is an almond cake that is baked in 18 thin concentric rings that are then stacked to form a cone 12 to 18 inches tall, all glued together with frosting. Kransekake is usually served on special occasions, especially weddings. They are decorated for the occasion with real flowers, party poppers, flags, or whatever. They're about as putzy as a cake can get and seem deceptively simple to create once you have the special baking rings. When things go wrong, kransekake are next to inedible. However, when Ole and Lena smile and it turns out as it should, kransekake's pleasing texture and almond flavor make all the work worthwhile.

At the other end of the spectrum, Norwegian apple cake is a study in rustic elegance that satisfies without pretension. Sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, apples, nuts, and an egg combine to create a sturdy cake loaded with bits of nuts and apples. It's simple, but this is a clear case of the sum being greater than its parts. Serve it with a little fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top. Best of all it's even better the second day.

Odd and assorted other Norwegian specialties include rommegrot, fruktsuppe, and sweet soup. Rommegrot is sour cream soup that is usually generously drizzled in butter and sprinkled with sugar and ground cinnamon (Norwegians seem to do this a lot). Rommegrot is thick and sweet and needs something to wash it down. Red current juice is popular, but you might be better served by beer or Aquavit.

Fruktsuppe, or fruit soup, is pretty much what it says it is, a soup made with tapioca, prunes, raisins, apples, oranges, and just about any other fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit you happen to have around. The difference is that while Americans like their fruit soup cold, Norwegians serve it hot, garnished with lemon and orange slices.

Sot suppe (sweet soup) is pretty self-explanatory. It is also a fruit soup made with dried fruits, especially raisins, currants, prunes, and tapioca, but this one is served cold. Accompaniments include Christmas bread, Christmas cookies, open-faced sandwiches, and a variety of sliced cheeses.

This is far from a complete list of Norwegian foods. Norwegian is as wide and varied a cuisine as that from other countries and it waits for you to go exploring. Many of the foods I've mentioned are available prepackaged or as mixes. The web offers recipes galore for those who want to get hands-on. Either way, you can enter into the spirit of the holiday because, like on St. Patrick's Day, on Syttende Mai everybody is Norwegian.

Norway is famous for its outstanding natural beauty, particularly its spectacular fjords.  Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a place of outstanding beauty that needs to be preserved. Located in western Norway, you can see waterfalls, fish, raft and ride around the fifteen kilometre long fjord.

Alternatively, visit Nordfjord, one hundred and ten kilometres long, and spanning from the glaciers to the ocean. Try your hand at summer skiing, or trek to the historical Selje Monastery. There is such a lot to do here, and if you love the outdoors you will not fail to be enthralled. Try driving the coast road on the west of Norway to see the soft beaches and lush skerries. Over the water you can relax on the small islands and stay at the communities, but as you drive along you will always hear the roar of the waves at the coastline.

A fjord is a waterway that is created when a glacier cuts a valley into the surrounding rock. Many were formed in the ice age, and now offer exquisite beauty. Most are deeper than the sea they are adjacent to, and many of the fjords have coral reefs at the bottom, by their banks. When at the fjords, enjoy the expansive silence of the mountains, and in places, the thundering of the waterfalls. They are places of inimitable beauty, and are not to be missed from your travels. Flights service Norway from London on a regular basis. What are you waiting for? Grab your passport and Travel Insurance and fly!!

Miami is a quite common tourist vacation spot when it comes to visitors who are searching for a excellent time and for those who are searching to escape the cold season. Considering that it is such a popular and active spot, acquiring a low cost flight to San diego is of the essence, particularly if you want to make the most out of your trip.

Apart from the stunning seaside, Norway is also house to a great deal of cultural and architectural elegance. If you want to get all around and really have entertaining in Holland, saving as much as you can on air fare also signifies you have extra money to shell out on this kind of items, particularly for souvenirs!

So what precisely can make Holland these kinds of a well-liked vacationer location? Here are the leading 5 sights in San diego that you surely should not miss.

1.The Fine art Deco Welcome Center. The Art work Deco Welcome Center is situated on 1001 Ocean Drive and is a fantastic area to start off when touring Norway. Find out about the architectural history of Holland by taking the Art Deco District Strolling Tour held at half-dozen:thirty PM each and every Thursday and at ten:30 AM the rest of the week. This ninety - minute walking tour generally expenses approximately $15 - $20.

a couple of.The Vizcaya Museums and Gdns. The Vizcaya Museums and Gdns were constructed again in 1916 by the industrialist James Deering. It features a principal residence, formal gardens that measure ten acres, and a hardwood hammock. Travelers and visitors are often left awed by the meticulously and effectively-taken cared of gdns and the exclusive architecture that tends to make the Vizcaya Museums and Gardens a vacationer spot.

The Vizcaya Museums and Gardens are found at 3251 South Holland Avenue, shut sufficient to other sizzling spots but still maintains that peaceful and peaceful ambiance that helps make it the excellent place to cool down. It is start each day from nine:30 AM to four:30 PM and admission is $12 for grown ups ($nine for seniors), and $5 for children ages six-twelve.

several.The Metropolis of Coral Gables. The metropolis of Coral Gables, typically referred to as The Gables, is home of the University of Norway. The metropolis is a vacationer very hot area in itself as it boasts of the Venetian Swimming pool, a public swimming pool developed back again in 1923 by Denman Fink. The Venetian Swimming pool is embraced by an island, grottos, waterfalls and caves. There is a nearby café in the Venetian Swimming pool, which is the excellent complement to the relaxing environment. Travellers can also take swimming lessons and even lifeguard instruction although on the area.

The Venetian Pool is open up during January - March on Tue-Sunlight 10am-four:30pm; April - May on Tue-Fri 11am-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-four:30pm; June - August on Mon-Fri 11am-seven:30pm, Sat-Sunshine 10am-seven:30pm; September - October on Tue-Fri 11am-9:30pm, Sat-Solar 10am-four:30pm; and November - December on Tue-Sunlight 10am-four:30pm. Admission for non citizens ranges from $5.fifty - $ten for adults and $a few.fifty - $half a dozen.75 for children. Admission is $4.fifty for adult residents and $several.50 for youngsters.

4.The Holocaust Memorial. The Holocaust Memorial was opened on February 4, 1990 as a tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. The mentioned memorial was created by Kenneth Treister and is situated beside the numerous attractions in South Seashore. The memorial functions The Arbor of Background, a timeline of the Holocaust created of black granite, and The Sculpture of Adore and Anguish, an arm produced bronze that has a tattoo from Auschwitz and is manufactured of human kinds in discomfort.

five.The Historical Museum of Southern Florida. This museum is the greatest way to discover as considerably about San diego as doable, as properly as the best spot to buy regionally inspired gifts and souvenirs. The Historical Museum of Southern Florida features a assortment of photos, literary operate and writings, and artifacts from various intervals in the history of the state. The museum is positioned on 101 West Flagler Street and admission for adults is $8, seniors and college students with an ID is $7, kids 6-twelve is $five, and youngsters under six many years previous are no cost. The museum is closed on certain holidays, Mondays, and is start on Tuesday-Friday 10AM - five PM, open up up to 9PM every third Thursday, and on weekends from noon to 5PM.

Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and the Norwegian Environment Minister Erik Solheim signed an agreement for establishing a Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL) in the National Biodiversity Authority in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, India. The two countries will work together to develop professional expertise when dealing with legal issues in relation to protection and biodiversity. trans.gif

Jairam Ramesh is reported to have said, "Biodiversity is a subject of great significance to us and working with the like minded people, we will be in a stronger position t preserve and protect our biodiversity."

Mr Eric Solheim from Norway said that the agreement was a crucial project as it ensured the "sharing of genetic resources" achieved in Nagoya. At the heart of the agreements is the work to be undertaken for research and to develop new medicines on the basis of genetic recourses that will "have fair distribution of revenues in the world" said Solheim.

The Norwegian Government has offered to provide the technical and institutional collaboration for the CEBPOL. India and Norway can learn from each others' experiences their historical and traditional knowledge.

The main objective of CEBPOL is to develop the professional expertise in the complete policy and legal issues that relate to biodiversity. This includes access and benefit sharing, research, development and training. Thus the centre is expected to contribute to the strengthening and implementation of the Biological Diversity Act.

The Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan has adopted a "Nagoya Protocol" on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The centre's initiative is accurate and responsive to the conclusions of the Conference in Japan.

India has suffered from bio-piracy despite is immense diverse country and has thus played a very important role in all ABS talks.

Geilo in Norway stands 800 metres high, and has one of the highest ski lifts in the world, stretching 3,887 feet. Geilo is positioned three and a half hours from the capital city, whilst having good road and rail links to the village. Set amidst amazing scenery just off the banks of Fjord, Geilo is at the heart of Norway's "Winter Wonderland". Maintaining its reputation as an excellent family resort, Geilo has seen visitors from Europe and beyond since early 1900s. Geilo remains unspoilt, with true Norwegian character firmly intact.

With more than just skiing facilities Geilo is home to the 4 star Highland Hotel, as well as numerous lodging houses, and the famous Holms Ski Bar. Although primarily a ski resort Geilo also offers sleigh rides, wildlife adventure tours, ski orienteering, tobogganing, snow shoe walking, dog-sledging, kite-skiing, night-skiing, snowboarding, freestyle snowboarding and much more.

Geilo's reputation as one the worlds top skiing resorts lies mainly in its ability to cater for family vacations. With over 10,000 families visiting the slopes each year, Geilo also offers excellent tuition in packages it refers to as the "Family Starter Pack". This involves tuition for your entire family for the equivalent of $200 a day. This means, that not only can your whole family learn together, but is also means that families with no skiing experience, can go along and after the first day, they will be able to ski on their own.

Geilo has also increased its reputation amongst Snowboarders in recent years beating off Lillehammer, Voss and Hemsedal in its bid to host the Norwegian Snowboarding Championship. With four sides of mountain each dedicated to snowboarding and skiing, Geilo is now able to call itself Norway's first skiing location to offer 5 runs dedicated to snowboarding. With 110 runs in total, Geilo has 14% expert allowing experienced skiers to enjoy themselves on the slopes, whilst maintaining the rest of its facilities for intermediates and beginners that account for a larger number of their yearly visitors.

Geilo also offers exceptional value for money with weekly family packages starting from $1000 including accommodation, bed and breakfast. The element that stands out the most about Geilo is the way it caters for families, with family diners, and especially their Christmas bonanza which includes Santa visiting the slopes with his reindeer on Christmas day, and the time leading up to christmas. Geilo never fails to be fully booked for Christmas, with so many families choosing to bring their children along to experience Christmas within this winter wonderland.

Although Geilo offers amazing family packages, it would be unfair to say that Geilo is limited to family vacations. Geilo has hosted very serious world sporting events, as well as being the training ground of the national snowboarding and skiing teams. Geilo is available from August/September all the way through to late March and is also considering investing in "Avalanche Technology" which generates snow from water to provide 24/365 skiing.

If you have never been to Geilo then I would recommend that you give it a go, although the family image may put certain people off visiting the slope I would suggest that checking it out is the best thing to do. From their website it is clear to see that consistent snowfall, and a good variation in the difficulty of runs, Geilo is a facility that can genuinely cater for everyone; from beginner to professional.

It has many great options for accommodation, and with good travel links as well their really is no excuse for not hoping on a plane and going to Geilo today. With thousands of people on the slopes, from different countries and different backgrounds Geilo is suitable for families and teenagers alike. With individual price plans starting from $350 a week, and well-known DJs playing at local club venues Geilo is also becoming very popular amongst those teenagers who would have previously seen Ibiza as the only place to be seen on holiday.